Tonight's Friday Night Smackdown's theme is new beginnings. A Raw superstar debuts on the scene, Ken Kennedy gets to leave Smackdown with a win over a mystery opponent, and an "I Quit Match" loser leave town battle will also be revealed. If you throw in a Triple Threat #1 contender's match for the World Heavyweight Championship between Batista, Lashley, and Finlay for the main event and this truly is one hectic episode of Smackdown!

The United States champion Ken Kennedy walks with a purpose to the ring to start off the program. Kennedy complains that GM Teddy Long will not let him go to Raw and that he technically defeated The Undertaker at No Mercy. Kennedy says that Long told him if he puts his title on the line and beats a mystery partner tonight he can go to Raw. The mystery opponent is ... Chris Benoit.

Kennedy jumps Benoit as he enters the ring and gets the jump on the returning superstar. Benoit quickly regains control with a suplex and begins putting the boots to the cocky youngster. The Crippler is so crisp in every maneuver and gains several near falls after a variety of suplexes. After a brief flurry by Kennedy, Benoit connects with the flying headbutt and slaps on the Sharpshooter. In an odd move, the Rabid Wolverine had Kennedy seconds away from tapping out when he tried switching to the Crippler Crosfface allowing the champ to grab the bottom rope. Following the commercials Kennedy is able to mount some offense and focus on Benoit's shoulder by ramming him into the steel post. The U.S. champion is heavily wearing down The Crippler's shoulder with a submission when The Undertaker's gong hits. Taker slowly walks down, but the distraction allows Benoit to attack with the continuous German suplexes into a Crossface. Kennedy shortly taps and the new United States Champion is Chris Benoit. When the cameras pan back it appears that Undertaker has disappeared.

WINNER: ... and NEW U.S. champion ... Chris Benoit

Match 2: Vito vs. William Regal

The man with the skirt and Sir Regal battle it out back and forth. As per usual whenever it seems Regal is gaining an advantage Vito flashes him and regains control. After sunset flip attempt by Regal, Vito holds up, hooks both legs and squeaks out another victory over the Englishman.

WINNER: Vito

Match 3: MVP vs. Kane

MVP is dressed in a terrible looking Power Ranger blue spandex suit and says he wants some competition from GM Teddy Long. Teddy comes out and announces that MVP's Smackdown wrestling debut will be against Smackdown's newest star Kane! The newcomer delays the start of the match by doing stretches and preventing the referee from ringing the bell. Kane gets annoyed with the stalling and clubs MVP from behind. Kane picks apart the newbie with punches, kicks, and slams into the steel post on the outside. MVP rakes the eyes of Kane and then runs up the aisle and out of the ring area. No bell sounds so I guess this is a no contest.

WINNER: No Contest

Match 4: Rey Mysterio vs. Jamie Noble

Before the bell, Chavo and Vickie Guerrerro stand at the top of the ramp and tell Rey they will not interfere in his match at all. A fast paced technical battle begins between Mysterio and Noble. Both competitors slug it out back and forth with Noble holding his own against the former world champion. It is some bad luck for Noble that Kid Kash was fired because that tag team was just starting to take off. Mysterio is able to get the pinfall following a 619/Droppin' The Dime combination. After the match Chavo tells Rey he's at the lowest point in his career and that as long as they're both on the same brand there will always be problems. He then challenges Mysterio to an "I Quit Match" where the loser must leave Smackdown. Rey accepts and the two trash talk.

Following some high flying spots early Kendrick is grounded by K.C. James and then by Sylvain. Finally Jimmy Wang Yang is brought in for the hot tag. London incapacitates Stevens on the outside with a suicide dive, while Yang delivers a picture perfect moonsault from the top rope onto Sylvain. A three count later and the high flyers pickup the win.

King Booker and Queen Sharmell join the broadcast team with Booker's usual hilarious commentary following. Batista and Lashley stare down, and then decide to team up on Finlay. Once the Irishman is put to the outside Batista and Lashley exchange shoulder drives into each other's stomach. Finlay gets back in the mix and is saved from being pinned by Lashley when the leprechaun distracts the official. Eventually all three men are on the outside where Batista gets put through the broadcast table by Lashley and Finlay after taking it apart himself. Back inside the squared circle Finlay connects with the Celtic Cross on Lashley but his cover is broken up by The Animal at two. Lashley tries a military press on Finlay, however, Batista has other ideas and hits a big spear on Lashley. A few minutes later the Irishman is Batista Bombed after hitting Lashley with the shillelagh for the win. The new #1 contender for the World Heavyweight Championship is Batista!

Andy McNamara is a freelance and SLAM! Wrestling writer. Make sure to listen to Andy LIVE as the play-by-play commentator on www.thefreq.ca for Durham College Lords basketball and volleyball Andy asks: what does Smackdown need to make itself at or near the same level as Raw? Andy can be reached at andymcnamara@hotmail.com.